ABU DHABI, Feb 7, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Naomi Osaka said she was trying not to
feel "like a failure" after her comeback hit another roadblock with a 7-5, 6-
0 defeat to former world number seven Danielle Collins in the first round of
the Abu Dhabi Open on Tuesday.

"I say some pretty harsh words about myself. I know the word, but if I say
it, it sounds really bad. I felt a little like a 'failure', but I don't want
to be too harsh," Osaka told AFP in the UAE capital after her straight sets
defeat.

The Japanese star returned last month from a 15-month absence from the tour,
during which she gave birth to her first child Shai, but has been handed some
tricky draws and lost three of her four matches so far this campaign.

The former world number one also lost in straight sets in the doubles later
on Tuesday, alongside Ons Jabeur, but feels that performance helped her shake
off her earlier disappointment.

"I'm less confident but I'm not too unconfident to think that I can't play
really good tennis," four-time Grand Slam winner Osaka said.

"I really think I just need to get through a really tough match and then sort
of acknowledge that that's going to happen quite a couple of times."

Despite a close opening set that witnessed supreme serving from both players,
Osaka struggled in her service games in the second set and failed to convert
any of her six break point opportunities to fall to the American qualifier in
one hour and 23 minutes.

"Everyone around me is telling me I'm playing well and I don't think I'm
playing bad," she continued.

"I just need to believe in myself more and I think as soon as I got broken my
belief dipped a lot."

- 'Next chapter' -

Osaka will next head to Doha for the Qatar Open and says she "might have to
play Dubai" but is unsure as of yet.

Meanwhile, Collins improved her head-to-head record against Osaka to 2-3 and
will take on top-seeded Elena Rybakina in the second round.

The 30-year-old Collins has announced this will be her final season on tour
and has herself navigated some brutal draws in her first five weeks of 2024.

At the Australian Open, she beat three-time major winner Angelique Kerber
before falling to world number one Iga Swiatek in round two.

She has been handed two more grand slam champions in Abu Dhabi in the form of
Osaka and 2022 Wimbledon winner Rybakina.

Collins said wanting to live a normal life away from the constant travel and
the daily grind on tour was the main reason behind her decision to retire at
the end of the season.

"At this point I feel like I'm ready for the next chapter and I'm really
excited about it," she said.

"I needed to have an end date and it gives my family and friends the ability
to come support me in some final tournaments. I think that will be really
special," said the player from Florida.